Interview with Zhang Yang



Hi could you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in CG?

Hi, I am Zhang Yang 3D Modeler/Texture Artist/VFX Compositor from China, self-taught all-round; 3ds Max was my first 3D software and then I switched over to Maya through 2002. I also like traditional painting. Once I worked for Video-game Company, animation studio and TV station. At present I'm a freelancer.


So, you are a freelancer, please tell us what difficulties a freelancer have to face in getting the work?

You must learn many types of software, drawing and other technologies and so on to deal with various work needs.


What software program(s) do you use for your CG and why?

Maya is the most, to do with kinds of work. It’s great software. In addition, I use Zbrush, Mudbox for modeling and texturing, Photoshop for all textures, Bodypaint for refining textures, I also use Mental Ray for rendering etc. The compositions are made by After Effect.


Which area of 3d do your really enjoy doing and what’s the most useful thing you have learnt in 3d?

I think rendering is the most enjoying thing because I can read when renders pictures. :-) I think I have learnt observe things around the world and patience in 3D you know as a 3D artist. I must know what I want to do and how to attain so I can get inspiration by observing the world. Then, what I want to do is waiting for my works finishing with patience.


Please tell us about your latest work “Lady of Shalott”, what problems you encountered and how you overcome those?

When I decided to make this classic oil painting, I have to consider that someone wouldn’t say I just simply copy this painting. So I decide to add my own elements. Therefore, the most difficult problem is coming that is, how to add my own elements. For instance I changed her desperate expression into a bit more hopeful expression, and also the tune of this image for the same purpose and I decided to add a beautiful waterfall to make the image more mystery and fantastic. 



Everyone said women are the most difficult to model in 3d, what your view on this and which thing to keep in mind while modeling women?

For me face is the most important thing to model a woman and expression is the most difficult thing to achieve on the face, then eyes are the most direct parts of the expression for readers. So I would spend most time on eyes when I model a woman.


What advice would you give to future wanna be modelers out there?

I think the anatomy is the most important ability and knowledge for a modeler. Softwares are updating all the time, topology structures are still changing, but the anatomy is worthy of studying for a long time.

Please tell us at what rate China Animation Industry is growing and what are the future prospects?

China Animation Industry is growing now but we are very young.



Anything you like to add? It is your chance now to state your opinion about anything

One thing I want to tell beginners that I think as a 3D artist, only mastering 3D tech is not enough, 2D tech and composition tech are also very important. My father is a photographer and I study from him, this can help me a lot.
 
Thanks a lot Yang for taking out sometime for us from your busy schedule.